Dustin Houchin: It’s a myth to say brains aren’t fully developed until age 25
The myth has reduced accountability for young people who break the law in Indiana and across the country.
Juvenile justice
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Closing the gap?: New law clears up ‘black hole’ between adult, juvenile courts
A new law should erase a “jurisdictional gap” that has allowed people who commit offenses before their 18th birthday to essentially avoid legal consequences as long as charges weren’t filed until after they turned 21.
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Work in progress: Juvenile justice mental health, safety concerns addressed in new law
Concerns about the safety and well-being of Hoosier youth housed in juvenile justice facilities across the state have drawn attention from the U.S. Department of Justice on multiple occasions. Action was taken to remedy those concerns, but the root of the problem facing Indiana’s juvenile justice system is still wound in a tangled mess that lawmakers and juvenile advocates are trying to unravel.
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Web Exclusive: Study committee tackling juvenile justice, appointed counsel, human trafficking
With the 2022 Indiana legislative session approaching, members of the Indiana General Assembly are taking a deeper dive into issues facing the justice system.
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Indiana Black Legislative Caucus leaders optimistic about agenda
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is offering a comprehensive and aggressive agenda for the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The bills promote police reform, institute changes to juvenile justice, and address inequities in the health care system, among other things.
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Articles
COA splits in reducing 220-year sentence for teen convicted in ‘worst of the worst’ murder
A convicted murderer sentenced as a teen to more than 200 years will have his sentence reduced to 135 years, although one Court of Appeals of Indiana judge would uphold the 220-year term.
Juvenile pilot showing results: Marion Co. juvenile delinquency pilot responds well in early stages
After a nearly two-year pilot program, the Marion County Early Intervention Team and the Indiana Public Defender Commission say the initiative has shown promising early results.
COA affirms denial of juvenile’s motion for relief from child molesting adjudications
A trial court properly denied a juvenile’s motion for relief from judgment on two delinquencies adjudications that he admitted to, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
COA overturns dangerous possession delinquency adjudication on double jeopardy grounds; panel disagrees on Wadle analysis
A dangerous-possession-of-a-firearm delinquency adjudication has been overturned on double jeopardy grounds, but the Court of Appeals of Indiana also upheld the juvenile’s criminal recklessness adjudication.
Juvenile incarceration trending down: Attorneys point to fewer arrests, more diversion
Youth incarceration in Indiana has been on a steady decline for years, with experts in the legal field pointing to an emphasis on diversion and other patterns in youth behavior more generally as explanations for the downward trend.
IN justices decline review of suppression order in case of man charged as teen with murder
Evidence found in the bedroom of a man charged as a teen with three killings can be admitted at the man’s murder trial after the Indiana Supreme Court declined to review the reversal of a suppression order.
Judge orders Noblesville school shooter’s release into custody of parents
A judge Wednesday approved the release of a teenager who opened fire at a central Indiana middle school in 2018, wounding another student and a teacher, a prosecutor said.
Man failed to show statutory requirements for expungement of DCS records that proved juvenile child molesting allegations, COA affirms
Indiana law didn’t back up a man’s contention that a trial court should expunge Indiana Department of Child Services records substantiating his molestation of his sisters, the Court of Appeals of Indiana affirmed Wednesday.
‘Relatively minor’ juvenile offense didn’t warrant commitment in DOC, COA rules in reversal
A teen’s placement in the Department of Correction for a “relatively minor” juvenile offense was erroneous, the Court of Appeals has ruled, finding a juvenile court did not sufficiently explore less restrictive options.
Indiana teen who shot teacher and student at a middle school in 2018 is ordered to treatment center
A teenager who opened fire at a central Indiana middle school in 2018, wounding another student and a teacher, should go to a residential treatment center, a judge ordered Monday.
COA upholds admission of gun found on juvenile
A trial court did not err in admitting evidence seized as a result of a stop and pat-down of a juvenile, the Court of Appeals of Indiana has affirmed.
Michigan judge to decide if teenage school shooter will spend life in prison
There is no dispute that Ethan Crumbley killed four fellow students and wounded others at Michigan’s Oxford High School in 2021. The next step: Should the 17-year-old spend the rest of his life in prison for the mass shooting?
Juveniles get added layer of protection: Law enforcement lying prohibited under bill
To add further protection to juveniles’ rights when they’re interrogated by police, a new Indiana law passed this legislative session puts the onus on law enforcement to always be truthful.
Noblesville middle school shooter ordered to stay in custody
A judge ordered a former student who opened fire at an Indiana middle school in 2018, wounding another student and a teacher, to remain in custody after a corrections employee said Thursday that he “fist-bumped” her breast.
Muncie teen acquitted of murder, pleads guilty to misdemeanor
A Delaware County jury has acquitted a Muncie teenager of murder, the county prosecutor announced Friday.
Indiana boy, 16, gets 64 years in slaying of Indiana girl, 6
A 16-year-old boy convicted in the molestation and slaying of a 6-year-old northern Indiana girl was sentenced Friday to 64 years in prison.
Youth incarceration continues as advocates pursue reform efforts
A new report from a national sentencing reform nonprofit is highlighting continued concerns about youth offenders housed in adult facilities, rather than juvenile centers.
Judge convicts 16-year-old of murder in Indiana girl’s death
A judge found a 16-year-old boy guilty of murder Thursday in the asphyxiation slaying of a 6-year-old northern Indiana girl.
Mayor: Teacher shot by 6-year-old ‘red flag for the country’
A Virginia teacher who was critically injured when she was shot by a 6-year-old student in Newport News is showing signs of improvement as authorities struggle to understand how a child so young could be involved in a school shooting.